COO of Newk's Eatery

James Joseph Greco (born January 4, 1958) is an American businessman and entrepreneur. Currently, he serves as the President and CEO of Pilgrim Holdings and the President and COO of Newk’s Eatery. Prior to joining Newk’s, Greco held numerous other executive positions in the food service industry including Chief Executive Officer and President of Sbarro, Chief Executive Officer of the restaurant group Le Duff America, Chief Executive Officer of Bruegger’s Enterprises, Inc., Chief Executive Officer of Fieldbrook Farms Corporation, and Chief Operating Officer of Natural Country Farms.

Early years and personal life:

Greco was born in New Haven, Connecticut and grew up in nearby Hamden, Connecticut. He graduated from Hamden High School in 1976, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Georgetown University in 1980, and a J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law, in 1983. Additionally, Greco has completed International Studies at City University, London, England.

Greco is a member of the Connecticut Bar Association and the Florida Bar Association. As well as being active on the Board of Advisors for the Lender School of Business at Quinnipiac University, Greco also serves on the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Food Bank, the Board of Directors of the Palm Beach County Food Bank, and the Board of Directors of the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce. Greco is the father of two sons, and resides in Delray Beach, Florida with his wife.

Early career:

After graduating from law school, Greco served as a partner in Connecticut-based Greco and Greco law firm from 1983 to 1991, specializing in consultation to and representation of real estate and corporate clients.

Greco executed one of his first turnarounds at Ellington, Connecticut-based Natural Country Farms, a manufacturer of private label and food service fruit juices, where he served as Chief Operating Officer for five years.

Following Natural Country Farms, Greco served for seven years as Chief Executive Officer of Fieldbrook Farms, a $100 million manufacturer of private label ice cream in Dunkirk, New York. A team of investors, led by Greco, took over a failing Fieldbrook Farms and named Greco Chief Executive Officer. As CEO, he successfully designed and executed a strategic plan to turn the company around. Greco’s efforts resulted in a doubling of profits and a large increase in productivity.